Saffron Extract Powder

Only the dried red stigmas of Crocus sativus flowers go into this saffron extract, and each flower yields just three of them, which is why saffron is priced far above most botanicals. Water extraction brings the soluble stigma fraction into solution, and the liquor is dried to an orange-red powder.

This 10:1 ratio extract of saffron carries no crocin percentage figure. It is water dispersible and milled to 80 mesh. The crocin-standardized extract, the plain saffron powder and the isolated crocetin are separate products with their own specifications.

SKU: BOT-BEX-0022 Category: Botanical Extracts Tags: Flower, Gummies & Chews, Plant Extracts, Saffron, Water Dispersible, Water Extracted

Crocus sativus Stigma Identity & Plant Part

The botanical entity is Crocus sativus L., a sterile triploid crocus that flowers in autumn and cannot set seed, so growers propagate it by splitting corms. The part used is the stigma, the red, thread-like tip of the style. Each flower carries only three, and they are picked by hand and dried. Petals, stamens, the style below the stigma and the corm are not included in this saffron extract.

Saffron is frequently adulterated.

The stigma contains crocins, water-soluble carotenoid esters that give the orange-red color; picrocrocin, which gives the bitter taste; and safranal, the main aroma compound, which forms from picrocrocin during drying.

Saffron Extract vs Powder & Standardized Grades

Form	What It Is	Choose It When
10:1 Stigma Extract	Water-extracted, concentrated and dried C. sativus stigma	A dispersible stigma extract without a marker is wanted
Saffron Extract 3–10% Crocins	Standardized extract with a defined crocin range	The specification names a crocin figure
Saffron Powder	Dried, milled stigmas with no extraction	Whole-stigma material is requested
Crocetin	Isolated carotenoid dicarboxylic acid	A single compound is required

The 10:1 figure compares stigma weight with finished powder. It is not a crocin content, and because saffron is graded in the raw spice by coloring strength, two 10:1 lots can still differ in how strongly they color a drink.

A ratio extract suits products that need stigma identity, color and a dispersible form without a labelled marker. The crocin-standardized extract is chosen when a crocin value is required, the plain powder when whole-stigma material is wanted, and crocetin for single-compound work.

Typical Specifications

Specification Item	Product Information
Latin Name	Crocus sativus
Plant Part	Flower
Processing	Water Extraction
Common Name	Saffron
Ingredient Type	Ratio Extract
Extract Ratio	10:1
Appearance	Orange-Red powder
Solubility / Dispersibility	Water Dispersible
Quality Parameters
Moisture (LOD)	≤5.0%
Total Ash	≤5.0%
Particle Size	80 mesh
Heavy Metals	Lead ≤2 ppm · Arsenic ≤1 ppm · Cadmium ≤1 ppm · Mercury ≤0.1 ppm
Microbiology	TPC ≤1,000 cfu/g · Yeast & Mold ≤100 cfu/g · E. coli Negative · Salmonella Negative/25 g
Shelf Life	24 months in unopened original packaging, cool and dry storage

Application Areas

Opaque Capsules for Light-Sensitive Fills

Saffron extract goes into opaque capsules because crocin color and the aroma compounds fade under light. A flow check on the lot is advisable before filling, and a desiccant in a light-tight bottle protects the finished capsules. Because a very small amount colors a lot, fill uniformity depends on premixing the extract with a carrier first.

Milk, Rose and Cardamom Drink Sachets

Sachets carry the extract with a sweetener, milk powder or herbal carrier. The orange-red color gives a warm golden tint in water, and the delicate honey-like, slightly bitter taste suits mild milk, rose or cardamom flavors.

Golden-Tinted Tea Powders

Instant tea-style powders use saffron extract for a natural golden hue. The color is water soluble and unstable in strong light, so a reconstituted drink sold in clear packs should be tested for fading across its full shelf life, and the dry blend is checked for color after storage as well.

Post-Cooking Gummy Premixes

Gummy producers add saffron extract after cooking, once the mass has cooled, because sustained heat degrades both aroma and color. A small amount tints the piece a warm yellow-orange and adds a subtle flavor note.

Formulation Notes

The powder is orange-red to deep red with a distinctive, slightly honeyed aroma and a delicate bitter taste. In water it dissolves to a clear to slightly hazy golden-orange liquid, and a very small amount can color a large volume.

Crocins, picrocrocin and safranal degrade with light, heat, oxygen and acid, so add the extract late in a process, keep air exposure short and avoid strongly acidic conditions where the color shifts and fades. Because so little powder colors so much volume, premix it in a small portion of the filler first to avoid streaks. The powder is hygroscopic and cakes in humid air, so weigh it fast. Wipe scoops and surfaces dry afterward, because any water that reaches the powder leaves orange stains.

After opening, reseal the liner and keep the container out of light. Repeated exposure to room air softens the powder and dulls the orange-red, so use an opened container within a reasonable period.

Packaging & Commercial Supply

Essencefield supports product evaluation, formulation trials, commercial orders, and ongoing ingredient supply. Packaging, storage, and shipping arrangements are determined by product characteristics, order quantity, stability requirements, and destination-market needs.

Supply Item	General Information
Sample	Available upon request for formulation, testing, and supplier evaluation
Order Quantities	100 g · 1 kg · 5 kg · 25 kg · 100 kg · 500 kg · Bulk
Sample Lead Time	Typically 5–7 days after sample confirmation
Production Lead Time	Typically 15–30 days after order and specification confirmation
Packaging	Suitable protective inner packaging with bags, cartons, drums, or other appropriate outer packaging
Storage	Store in tightly sealed, suitable protective packaging in a cool, dry environment. Protect from moisture, heat, and direct sunlight. Specific storage conditions follow the approved product specification.
Documentation	COA · Product Specification · TDS · SDS · Applicable declarations (as applicable)

Final order quantities, lead times, packaging, documentation, and shipping arrangements are confirmed according to the selected product and commercial requirements.